Genetic Polymorphism and Intrauterine Development: The Role of Maternal PGM1 and MNSs Genotypes

Sir .—In a study on the possible role of genetic polymorphisms in the etiology of unexplained habitual abortion, we have observed a significant relation between the gestational duration of aborted fetuses and both maternal phosphoglucomutase locus 1 (PGM 1 ) and Ss genotypes. 1 Aborted fetuses from mothers with the PGM 1 2-1 genotype and those from mothers with the SS genotype showed a longer gestational duration as compared with fetuses from mothers with other PGM 1 and Ss genotypes, respectively. Genotype distributions of these two polymorphisms in couples with habitual abortion were also statistically different from distributions in a control population. These observations prompted us to search for possible effects of maternal PGM 1 and Ss genotypes on the gestational duration in normal pregnancies. A consecutive series of 142 women who were delivered of a single liveborn infant was studied. Through the use of standard techniques, the MNSs genotype was determined